DARJEELING TEA (100 images)

Tucked away in a corner of the Himalayas, Makaibari Tea Estate is a tea estate in Kurseong, near Darjeeling, India. Established in 1859, it is run as a biodynamic farm using permaculture practices. It produces certified organic and fair trade teas, and holds the record for numerous first pluck in tea growing, including being the first tea estate in India with subaltern-level women with men working below them, and the first tea farm to use bio-gas as a fuel source for the workers' homes.more »

Tucked away in a corner of the Himalayas, Makaibari Tea Estate is a tea estate in Kurseong, near Darjeeling, India. Established in 1859, it is run as a biodynamic farm using permaculture practices. It produces certified organic and fair trade teas, and holds the record for numerous first pluck in tea growing, including being the first tea estate in India with subaltern-level women with men working below them, and the first tea farm to use bio-gas as a fuel source for the workers' homes.

In 2006, Makaibari Estate's 2006 second flush won the gold medal for being the "best black tea of the world" at the China Tea Expo.

Makaibari's 2nd Flush of 2008 was one of the most complex and fruity of the Darjeeling teas, the second flush is made from the summer growth flush and known as "Muscatel" because of its hints of muscat grape.

The Makaibari Estate's owner, Rajah Banerjee tastes his tea produce everyday. He walks a part of the estate everyday, meeting all the workers picking tea. His participation and dedication is what makes it tea, not the typical Indian Chai!« less